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"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech and Henry's actions afterward were the beginning of the citizen's defense against government tyranny. -
Paul Revere's and William Dawes' Ride
The Rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes was a crucial event in the Revolution. Both Dawes and Revere rode towards Lexington to warn John Hancock and Sam Adams of the arrival of the British. Whilst riding towards Hancock and Adams, Dawes and Revere warned every single village and home they came across. Once they got to Lexington, they were joined by Samuel Prescott and together they rode towards Concord, but before they could arrive they were all captured by the British. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle fought and the start of the war. The Battle of Lexington wasn't as big as the one at Concord. The Battle of Concord was a larger battle and the first one to fire was a British soldier. That shot is now considered to be the "shot heard round the world". The Colonists didn't show great marksmanship on that day, but they did show that they can stand up to the British, one of the most powerful armies in the world at the time. -
2nd Continental Congress and Battle of Ticonderoga
As the 2nd Continental Congress was happening in Philadelphia, another battle was occurring in New York. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold along with the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont, attacked the fort at dawn, surprising and capturing the British soldiers. This battle was the first one the Colonists won and the capturing of the fort gave the Continental Army the weaponry the needed. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill gave the Colonists the confidence boost they needed because it showed that despite their inexperience they were able to inflict significant damage upon them. Even causing the British to retreat at one point. -
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Battle Of Quebec
General Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery attempted to capture Quebec in hopes to gain the support of Canada. The attack failed and the battle cost Montgomery's life. The Battle of Quebec was the first major defeat for the Americans. -
"Common Sense"
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was the first piece of work to openly oppose the British government and ask for independence. Paine's work spoke to the Colonists and it fueled their desire to become independent. -
Declaration of Independence
With the Revolutionary War in full swing, the desire of the Colonists for independence from Great Britain was getting stronger. Thus giving the Continental Congress a vote on the issue. They gave the task writing a formal draft stating the colonies intentions of separating to a group of 5 men, which included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. The Congress then formally adopted the final statement-mostly written by Jefferson- on the date we now celebrate Independence Day. -
Battle of Long Island
The British successfully take down Washington's Continental Army and capture Washington. The battle was part of the British's plan to seize and take control of New York and isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. Luckily Washington was able to escape and continue to fight in the war. -
Nathan Hale's Execution
On Sept 10, Nathan Hale volunteered to spy on the British in preparation for the Battle of Harlem Heights. Hale was able to spy and gain information from the British for several weeks before getting caught for trying to escape back to American territory after Manhattan was invaded by the British and burned to the ground. Hale was then interrogated by General William Howe and was then killed. Many say that Hale's last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” -
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Battles of Trenton and Princeton
General Washington crossed over Delaware on Christmas Day and won 2 crucial battles of the revolution over the course of 10 days. During the Battle of Trenton (Dec 26) Washington defeated German mercenaries before retreating. A week he returned to Trenton to lure British forces south and instituted a march to capture Princeton. Both battles fought were victorious and these victories reasserted American control and improved morale and unity within the citizens. -
Battle of Brandywine
General William Howe and General Charles Cornwallis launched a surprise attack against Washington's army in an outpost near Brandywine. Howe and Cornwallis separated their troops, with Howe's team attacking the front while Cornwallis' group attacked the rear. Washington's army surprised and outnumbered retreated after trying to slow down the British's attack. The Battle of Brandywine cost the Americans 1000 soldiers who were either killed or captured and a lot of their weaponry to the British. -
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Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was fought eighteen days apart. The first part was called "The Battle of Freeman's Farm". General Burgoyne won the battle against the Americans, led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold, but their victory came at the cost of their soldiers. The 2nd part of the battle was fought at Bemis Heights on Oct 7th. Despite Burgoyne's soldiers being weakened they still fought but of course were defeated and had to retreat. -
The Alliance
During the War for Independence, representatives from both the Us and the French were sent to sign the Treaty of Commerce and Amity and the Treaty of Alliance. The Treaty of Commerce and Amity recognized The US as an independent nation and encouraged trade between France and the US, whereas the Treaty of Alliance provided a military alliance against Great Britain. -
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Battle of Yorktown
The French fleet commanded by Francois, Count de Grasse, departed St. Domingue for the Chesapeake Bay, just as Cornwallis chose Yorktown, at Chesapeake, as his base. Washington then knew it was time to act. He ordered his soldiers to block Cornwallis' escape in Yorktown while a French naval fleet blocked the British escape by sea. Washington was able to successfully encircle Cornwallis and his army. After weeks of nonstop battle, Cornwallis finally surrendered. Marking the end of the war. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, negotiated between Great Britain and the US, officially ended the revolutionary war and recognized the US as independent. The Final Treaty was signed on Sept 3rd and was ratified by the Congress in 1784 -
Bibliography 1
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/patrick-henry
http://www.revolutionary-war.net/revolutionary-war-timeline.html
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.html, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/revere-and-dawes-warn-british-attack, http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord, http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/capture-of-fort-ticonderoga -
Bibliography 2
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/the-continental-congress, http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-quebec-1775, http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/,http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patriot-executed-for-spying, http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence, http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-long-island -
